A review on Taxonomy, Biology, Ecology and Population Status of Dalbergia latifolia from Indonesia

Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. is a member of Fabaceae (Legume family). Dalbergia is a genus of the tribe Dalbergieae Bronn ex DC. of the Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae and was firstly described by Roxburgh in 1779. D. latifolia is native to tropical Asia, distributed from Nepal to India and Indonesia. In Indonesia, D. latifolia is largely distributed in Java, especially in Central Java, East Java, and D.I. Yogyakarta, and in West Nusa Tenggara. D. latifolia was included in the Appendix II of CITES in 2016 and since then D. latifolia wood from Indonesia has received greater attention in the international market. Indonesia has commenced a project entitled A Non-Detriment Findings (NDFs) Findings Report and A DNA database for D. latifolia in Java and West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia under the CTSP. The project implementation was initiated, among others, to review the taxonomy, biology, and ecology, population trend, structure and dynamics of D. latifolia in Indonesia, based on literature study since such information on the biological aspect of D. latifolia from Indonesia is still lacking. This short article provides a review of the taxonomy, biology, ecology, and population status of D. latifolia from Indonesia.

Country name: Indonesia

Project title: A Non-detriment Findings Report and a DNA Database for Dalbergia latifolia in Java and West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Project duration: 24 months

Implementing agency: Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation, Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Republic of Indonesia

Authors of the news item: KKusumadewi Sri Yulita, Rizki Ary Fambayun, Titiek Setyawati, Atok Subiakto, Dwi Setyo Rini, Henti Hendalastuti, and Bayu Arief Pratama

Contact for further information: yulita.kusumadewi@gmail.com

Interview with a local farmer in East Java, 2020. Photo by A. Subiakto